Brussels Jazz Orchestra
© Bernard Rie

Brussels Jazz Orchestra

Manager : Thadeus Jolie

Brussels Jazz orchestra (BJO) is not the kind of jazz orchestra that sticks to standards. It prefers to achieve the highest level by composing original music, creating unique arrangements and playing inventively as well as passionately. In fact, it really is jazz with a dynamic orchestral sound, with a classic strength in which each musician is also a brilliant soloist. Call it an ‘orchestrated passion for jazz’ that incites BJO to create world-class music.

Who comes to play with BJO depends on the project. In addition to BJO’s own productions, the orchestra works with well-known musicians from all over the world. BJO performed with Maria Schneider (US), Kenny Werner (US), Dave Liebman (US), Dave Douglas (US), Gianluigi Trovesi (IT), McCoy Tyner (US), Maria Joao (Portugal), Kenny Wheeler (GB), Lee Konitz (US), Toots Thielemans, Joe Lovano (US), Enrico Pieranunzi (I), Toots Thielemans, Wynton Marsalis (US) and others.

BJO has established a reputation at home and on relevant jazz stages abroad as Jazz Middelheim (Antwerp – BEL), Flagey (Brussels – BEL), Jazz at Lincoln Center (NYC-US), Muziekgebouw aan het IJ (Amsterdam – NL), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam – NL), Jazz à Vienne (FR), Paris Jazz Festival (FR), Guimaraes Jazz Festival (PT) and many others.

Founded in 1993 by Frank Vaganée, Serge Plume, Marc Godfroid and Bo van der Werf, the orchestra has enjoyed the recognition and support of the Flemish government since 1999. Brussels Jazz Orchestra works under the artistic direction of Frank Vaganée.